# What is CVE-2021-36090?

> CVE-2021-36090 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) in Commons Compress from Apache, published on 13 July 2021. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 13%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2021-36090

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Fix this soon. Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.
- **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 48 out of 100 (Medium); action: Plan remediation. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** High (CVSS 7.5 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 13% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 13 July 2021
- **Record last updated:** 7 November 2023
- **Main product:** Commons Compress from Apache
- **Affected products:** 34

## What is CVE-2021-36090? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can take it offline.

### The official description

When reading a specially crafted ZIP archive, Compress can be made to allocate large amounts of memory that finally leads to an out of memory error even for very small inputs. This could be used to mount a denial of service attack against services that use Compress' zip package.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-130: Improper Handling of Length Parameter Inconsistency

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: No login needed
- Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything
- What an attacker gets: Can take it offline

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H`

## Is CVE-2021-36090 being exploited? Not that we know of

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 13%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 13%, 13%, 13%, 13%, 13%, 13%, 13%.

### Timeline

- 13 July 2021: Published
- 7 November 2023: Record last updated
- 19 November 2025: Exploit likelihood jumped
- 22 November 2025: Exploit likelihood fell

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2021-36090 scores **48 out of 100 (Medium)**, with the action "Plan remediation".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: smaller factor
- Threat activity around it: smaller factor

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2021-36090?

The published record lists 34 products. Versions are as published: "1.0 to before 1.21" means from 1.0 up to, but not including, 1.21.

- [Commons Compress](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/apache/commons_compress) by [Apache](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/apache) (Application): 1.0 to before 1.21
- [Banking Apis](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/banking_apis) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 18.1 to 18.3, 19.1, 19.2, 20.1, 21.1
- [Banking Digital Experience](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/banking_digital_experience) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 18.1 to 18.3, 19.1, 19.2, 20.1, 21.1
- [Insurance Policy Administration](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/insurance_policy_administration) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 11.0.2, 11.1.0, 11.2.8, 11.3.0, 11.3.1
- [Banking Platform](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/banking_platform) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 2.6.2, 2.7.1, 2.9.0, 2.12.0
- [Communications Unified Inventory Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_unified_inventory_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 7.4.0, 7.4.1, 7.4.2, 7.5.0
- [Primavera Gateway](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/primavera_gateway) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 17.12.0 to 17.12.11, 18.8.0 to 18.8.12, 19.12.0 to 19.12.11, 20.12.0 to 20.12.7
- [Primavera Unifier](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/primavera_unifier) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 17.7 to 17.12, 18.8, 19.12, 20.12
- [Financial Services Enterprise Case Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/financial_services_enterprise_case_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): all versions, 8.0.7.2.0, 8.0.8.1.0
- [Flexcube Universal Banking](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/flexcube_universal_banking) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 12.4, 14.0.0 to 14.3.0, 14.5
- [Peoplesoft Enterprise Peopletools](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/peoplesoft_enterprise_peopletools) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.57, 8.58, 8.59
- [Utilities Testing Accelerator](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/utilities_testing_accelerator) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 6.0.0.1.1, 6.0.0.2.2, 6.0.0.3.1
- [Business Process Management Suite](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/business_process_management_suite) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0
- [Financial Services Crime and Compliance Management Studio](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/financial_services_crime_and_compliance_management_studio) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.0.8.2.0, 8.0.8.3.0
- [Webcenter Portal](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/webcenter_portal) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 12.2.1.3.0, 12.2.1.4.0
- [Active Iq Unified Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/active_iq_unified_manager) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Application): version not specified
- [Banking Enterprise Default Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/banking_enterprise_default_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 2.7.0
- [Banking Party Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/banking_party_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 2.7.0
- [Banking Payments](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/banking_payments) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.5
- [Banking Trade Finance](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/banking_trade_finance) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.5
- [Banking Treasury Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/banking_treasury_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 14.5
- [Commerce Guided Search](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/commerce_guided_search) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 11.3.2
- [Communications Billing and Revenue Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_billing_and_revenue_management) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 12.0.0.4
- [Communications Cloud Native Core Automated Test Suite](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_cloud_native_core_automated_test_suite) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 1.8.0
- [Communications Cloud Native Core Service Communication Proxy](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_cloud_native_core_service_communication_proxy) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 1.14.0
- [Communications Cloud Native Core Unified Data Repository](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_cloud_native_core_unified_data_repository) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 1.14.0
- [Communications Diameter Intelligence Hub](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_diameter_intelligence_hub) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.0.0 to 8.2.3
- [Communications Element Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_element_manager) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.2.0 to 8.2.4.0
- [Communications Messaging Server](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_messaging_server) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Operating system): 8.1
- [Communications Session Report Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_session_report_manager) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.2.0 to 8.2.5.0
- [Communications Session Route Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/communications_session_route_manager) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.0.0 to 8.2.5.0
- [Financial Services Analytical Applications Infrastructure](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/financial_services_analytical_applications_infrastructure) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.0.6 to 8.1.1
- [Healthcare Data Repository](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/healthcare_data_repository) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Application): 8.1.0
- [Oncommand Insight](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/netapp/oncommand_insight) by [Netapp](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/netapp) (Application): version not specified

## How do I fix CVE-2021-36090?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisories and patch notes first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood.

### References

- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html) (Patch, Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html) (Patch, Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html) (Patch, Third-party advisory)
- [commons.apache.org](https://commons.apache.org/proper/commons-compress/security-reports.html) (Vendor advisory)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc4134026d7d7b053d4f9f2205531122732405012c8804fd850a9b26f%40%3Cuser.commons.apache.org%3E) (Vendor advisory)
- [openwall.com](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/07/13/4) (Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [openwall.com](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/07/13/6) (Mailing list, Third-party advisory)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r0e87177f8e78b4ee453cd4d3d8f4ddec6f10d2c27707dd71e12cafc9%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r25f4c44616045085bc3cf901bb7e68e445eee53d1966fc08998fc456%40%3Cdev.drill.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r3227b1287e5bd8db6523b862c22676b046ad8f4fc96433225f46a2bd%40%3Cissues.drill.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r4f03c5de923e3f2a8c316248681258125140514ef3307bfe1538e1ab%40%3Cdev.drill.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r54049b66afbca766b6763c7531e9fe7a20293a112bcb65462a134949%40%3Ccommits.drill.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r67ef3c07fe3b8c1b02d48012149d280ad6da8e4cec253b527520fb2b%40%3Cdev.poi.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r75ffc7a461e7e7ae77690fa75bd47bb71365c732e0fbcc44da4f8ff5%40%3Cdev.tomcat.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9a23d4dbf4e34d498664080bff59f2893b855eb16dae33e4aa92fa53%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9f54c0caa462267e0cc68b49f141e91432b36b23348d18c65bd0d040%40%3Cnotifications.skywalking.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rab292091eadd1ecc63c516e9541a7f241091cf2e652b8185a6059945%40%3Ccommits.druid.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/racd0c0381c8404f298b226cd9db2eaae965b14c9c568224aa3f437ae%40%3Cnotifications.skywalking.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb064d705fdfa44b5dae4c366b369ef6597951083196321773b983e71%40%3Ccommits.pulsar.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb5fa2ee61828fa2e42361b58468717e84902dd71c4aea8dc0b865df7%40%3Cnotifications.james.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb6e1fa80d34e5ada45f72655d84bfd90db0ca44ef19236a49198c88c%40%3Cnotifications.skywalking.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb7adf3e55359819e77230b4586521e5c6874ce5ed93384bdc14d6aee%40%3Cnotifications.skywalking.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rba65ed5ddb0586f5b12598f55ec7db3633e7b7fede60466367fbf86a%40%3Cnotifications.skywalking.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rbbf42642c3e4167788a7c13763d192ee049604d099681f765385d99d%40%3Cdev.drill.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rbe91c512c5385181149ab087b6c909825d34299f5c491c6482a2ed57%40%3Ccommits.druid.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc7df4c2f0bbe2028a1498a46d322c91184f7a369e3e4c57d9518cacf%40%3Cdev.drill.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rd4332baaf6debd03d60deb7ec93bee49e5fdbe958cb6800dff7fb00e%40%3Cnotifications.skywalking.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rdd5412a5b9a25aed2a02c3317052d38a97128314d50bc1ed36e81d38%40%3Cuser.ant.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf2f4d7940371a7c7c5b679f50e28fc7fcc82cd00670ced87e013ac88%40%3Ccommits.druid.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf3f0a09fee197168a813966c5816157f6c600a47313a0d6813148ea6%40%3Cissues.drill.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf93b6bb267580e01deb7f3696f7eaca00a290c66189a658cf7230a1a%40%3Cissues.drill.apache.org%3E)
- [lists.apache.org](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rfba19167efc785ad3561e7ef29f340d65ac8f0d897aed00e0731e742%40%3Cnotifications.skywalking.apache.org%3E)
- [security.netapp.com](https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211022-0001/) (Third-party advisory)
- [oracle.com](https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html) (Third-party advisory)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2021-36090?

CVE-2021-36090 is a high-severity flaw in Commons Compress from Apache, published on 13 July 2021. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can take it offline.

### How serious is CVE-2021-36090?

It scores 7.5 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is high. Our risk score for CVE-2021-36090 is 48 out of 100, which is Medium. Its action is "Plan remediation". Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month.

### Is CVE-2021-36090 being exploited?

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 13%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

### Which versions does CVE-2021-36090 affect?

For Commons Compress from Apache: 1.0 to before 1.21. The record lists 34 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2021-36090?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet.

## Does CVE-2021-36090 affect you?

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- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

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